In a retrospective study, children with cystic fibrosis who were colonised with Pseudomonas cepacia were compared with a control group who were colonised with Pseudomonas maltophilia. Out of 216 children with cystic fibrosis seen between 1983 and 1990, P cepacia was recovered from 13 (median age at colonisation 12-2 years) and P maltophilia from 23 (median age at first colonisation 6-1 years), and both organisms were recovered in five cases. With the exception of two patients with P cepacia in whom no other pathogens were found, ali the patients with P cepacia or P maltophilia had co-colonisation with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The lack of spread of P cepacia to siblings with cystic fibrosis, and the relative lack of inpatient contact between colonised and uncolonised patients suggest that cross infection is not the sole route whereby patients with cystic fibrosis become infected, but the possibility of cross infection cannot be excluded from our data. Three patients with P cepacia died, but two of these had shown appreciable respiratory deterioration before colonisation with P cepacia; there was no evidence of unexpected deterioration in the remainder or in the controls with P maltophilia. By 1990, the prevalence of P cepacia was 9/133 (7%) and that of P maltophilia was 13/133 (10%), but it was impossible to determine to what extent this increase was due to the introduction of the routine use of selective media. Further studies are required to establish whether patients with and without P cepacia should be segregated.
Recording of data using multiple coding hierarchies has reduced the utility of data as clinically important ethnic subgroups cannot be identified. Practitioners should be encouraged to use the single recommended ethnicity coding hierarchy.
Introduction
: The current coronavirus pandemic has impacted the healthcare sector significantly. Policies and practices had to be amended to ensure maximum safety for both patients and healthcare professionals, including radiographers. This led to negative impacts on the occupational wellbeing and mental health of radiographers.
Purpose
: The aim of this study was to fill the gap in knowledge about coronavirus-related anxiety and fear among diagnostic radiographers across South Africa in order to inform policy and practice so as to mitigate the negative influence the coronavirus pandemic conditions has on the occupational wellbeing of diagnostic radiographers working on the frontline.
Methodology
: A quantitative, descriptive research design, using a cross-sectional approach, was employed. Two-hundred and forty-eight (n=248) South African diagnostic radiographers working in the clinical setting during the current coronavirus pandemic were recruited through social media. Data pertaining to their coronavirus-related anxiety and fear were collected through a digital questionnaire comprising three parts: demographics, coronavirus anxiety scale (CAS), and fear of coronavirus-19 scale (FCV-19S).
Results
: Most of the participants’ coronavirus anxiety scale scores are indicative of probable dysfunctional anxiety (69.8%). The participants had higher levels of coronavirus-related fear compared to anxiety. Anxiety levels were dependent on biological sex. For all other demographic variables anxiety and fear levels were independent.
Conclusion
: Support strategies should be implemented to mitigate the negative impacts of a pandemic such as the coronavirus pandemic on the occupational wellbeing and mental health of diagnostic radiographers. More research in this area is recommended to inform future policy and workforce development as well as practice amendments.
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